Plaza Premium Lounge

The Plaza Premium Lounge at Vancouver international airport Pier E, located in the transborder area, serves exclusively passengers traveling to the USA. Located opposite gate E88, it is easily found steps away from the security checkpoint.

The transborder area is home to only two lounges. The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge caters to Star Alliance Gold passengers and Maple Leaf Lounge members, while the Plaza Premium Lounge welcomes all travelers, regardless of airline or class of service, for a fee. American Express Centurion and Platinum card holders are also welcome.

Plaza Premium is the number one independent lounge operator worldwide. The company also operates lounges in the International and Domestic concourses.

Plaza Premium Lounge YVR design

The venerable Plaza Premium Lounge at Vancouver airport for USA departures lacks the swanky vibe that is the hallmark of most Plaza Premium lounges worldwide. The space is past its prime, and overdue for renovations. Beyond the reception desk is a cramped hallway with individual workstations, including one which was partitioned off when we visited. In the back is an emergency exit, which doubles as a storage area for broken furniture. Short of a complete makeover, Plaza Premium could perform maintenance to bring the club back to a world class standard.

The Plaza Premium lounge has a compact footprint, with only two rooms: an open seating area dominated by a buffet, and a smaller back room with additional seating. Located on a mezzanine, the club overlooks the immigration area. The mezzanine gives the rooms an open and airy feel, but the lack of outside views and limited daylight are underwhelming.

The seating layout is pretty tight, in an effort to deal with the limited real estate. Most seats lack side tables, though patrons can find greater privacy by the edge of the mezzanine, and in the more secluded the back room. A glaring flaw of the design, which is typical of older lounges, is the complete lack of power outlets – only a few sparsely available plugs are located along the walls.

Despite its limitations, the space has a certain charm. Artwork adorns the walls. The signature Plaza Premium seats are deep and comfortable. Best of all, with seating for only 60 seats, and relatively little traffic, the Plaza Premium lounge is typically quiet and intimate.

Plaza Premium Lounge YVR amenities

The Plaza Premium Lounge at Vancouver international airport Pier E (USA departures) shines on the food and beverage front. The lounge operator has built a reputation around their generous catering, and does not disappoint. Patrons will find a hot breakfast in the morning, as well as a few hot dishes throughout the day. The spread also includes snacks, mini sandwiches and salads, instant noodles, and desserts.

Alcoholic beverages include a selection of wines, an assortment of the traditional liquor staples, as well Canadian and US beers. Soft drinks and an espresso machine are available. All options are self-serve.

While the fare is relatively simple overall, the selection greatly beats our expectations for a North American domestic lounge, and is sufficient for a substantial snack or a simple meal on the ground.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available courtesy of the airport, but Plaza Premium does not offer a dedicated Wi-Fi access point. The login process for the public network is often frustrating, with a form to fill, ads, and the offer to upgrade to a faster connection at a cost.

A couple of individual private workstations and a phone room are available in the hallway between the reception area and the main room. There is also a conference room, which may be reserved in advance – an odd amenity, given the limited real estate overall.

Due to space constraints, Plaza Premium does not offer showers at the transborder lounge. The bathroom space is limited as well, with a mere two stalls.

Other amenities include a selection of newspapers and magazines, as well as an open bag storage facility.

Plaza Premium Lounge YVR bottom line

The Plaza Premium Lounge at Vancouver international airport Pier E (USA departures) is compact and past its prime. However, it is typically quiet, and features a substantial food and beverage selection – a trademark of Plaza Premium lounges – which far exceeds our expectations for a club serving relatively short flights to the US. The staff takes pride in offering friendly service, and the lounge is kept in pristine condition throughout the day.

Plaza Premium has recently renovated its two other lounges in the International and Domestic Piers. The Transborder club may not impress in comparison, but the relatively modest entry fee may be a good value for patrons seeking peace and a pre-departure meal.